Automatic bag closure and sealing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic bag sealing and closure apparatus is disclosed which includes a frame which may be tiltable in a fixed support, a folding mechanism on the frame for folding a paper bag closure over on itself, a folding bar cooperating with the folding mechanism for forming a fold line of a bag closure, means for heating a heat activatable adhesive or coating on the bag closure portion, and pressure exerting means for increasing the pressure applied by the bag folding mechanism.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,861,124

Bentzien .45 Jan, 21, 1975 AUTOMATIC BAG CLOSURE AND 3,008,511 11/1961 Levine 156/443 SEALING APPARATUS 3,220,156 11/1965 Hart et al 53/77 3,577,300 5/1971 Glaze, Jr. et al 156/443 Inventor: Len Bentzien, Menomonee Falls, 3,701,709 10/1972 Bianchini 156/583 WiS. 3,708,373 1/1973 Roquier-Vicat .1 156/580 X [73] Assignee: Universal Foods Corporation,

Mil k wi Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant ExaminerH0race M. Culver [22] Fled: 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmNeuman, Williams, 21 Appl. N0; 334,553 Anderson & Olson [52 U.S. Cl 53/373, 53/387, 156/380, ABSTRACT 156/443 156/580 An automatic bag sealing and closure apparatus is dis- [51] 1] Cl B65b 7/08, B65b 51/14 closed which includes a frame which may be tumble in [58] Field Of Search 53/373, 388, 387, 187, a fi d Support a folding mechanism on the frame for 53/39 77; 156/443 580, folding a paper bag closure over on itself, a folding bar A 583; 100/233 cooperating with the folding mechanism for forming a fold line of a bag closure, means for heating a heat ac- [56] References Cited tivatable adhesive or coating on the bag closure por- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion, and pressure exerting means for increasing the 2,011,198 8/1935 Morey 53 373 x p ure applied by the bag folding mechanism. 2,575,544 11/1951 Zinn, Jr. 53/373 X 2,641,882 6/1953 Richard 53/373 5 Clam, 8 Drawmg Flgures AUTOMATIC BAG CLOSURE AND SEALING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to automatic bag closure and sealing mechanisms, particularly for folding and sealing the open end of bag-like structures having heat activatable adhesives applied thereto, on a production line ba- SIS.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

Automatic bag closing mechanisms are known to the packaging art and take a variety of forms and including apparatus which would be employed to stitch the bag closure in a secured or fastened position by means of threads or devices which would apply liquid glue to the closure, followed by holding the same in a closed position until the glue developed sufficient strength to hold the package closed. Most of the prior art devices require hand operation to achieve the desired result. With particular reference to the present invention, the customary procedure involved the filling of a paper bag with contents in the desired amount followed by hand folding the open bag closure and stapling or otherwise securing the bag closure flap in a closed position to prevent the contents from spilling out during further handling and shipping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bag closing and sealing apparatus which performs the functions of securing the closure portion of an open bag, heat activating' and fusing a normally'dry heat sensitive adhesive coating present on one surface of the open end of the bag closure, forming a fold line adjacent the open end closure portion of the bag, folding the adhesive bearing portion over the fold line and sealing the bag in a closed position, holding the bag while the fused adhesive sets to a condition whereby the bag is maintained in its closed position thereby releasing the bag.

' Broadly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for closing and sealing bags, particularly paper bags containing product comprising:

a. a supporting frame;

b. a second supporting frame pivotally mounted on and carried by the first frame member;

0. a folding means mounted on the second frame;

d. a securing and folding bar mounted on said second frame in cooperating relation with the folding means;

e. a heating means mounted on said second frame adapted to provide heat to a predetermined portion of a bag held on the folding means and bag holding and folding bar means; and

f. means for applying additional pressure to the folding and closing means when in a closed and bag securing position.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to the bag closure and sealing apparatus for closing and sealing bags having a heat sensitive adhesive applied adjacent the open end of the bag comprising;

a. a pair of parallel, spaced-apart supporting frame members;

b. an inverted U-shaped member having a horizontal cross support and depending side leg elements, said member being pivotally mounted at the lower portion of the leg elements on and between the supporting frame members, and pivotal between a vertical position between the support members and an acute forward angled position;

0. a bag folding means comprising a fixed, horizontal, rectangular shaped bag support jaw member mounted between said side leg elements, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support, said bag support having front and rear edges, and a second powered, pivotally movable bag foldingjaw member of complementary size and shape to the fixed bag support member, and a free top and botton surface, the front edge of the movable bag folding jaw member being adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag folding member and being mounted and pivotally supported at its ends in said side leg elements and adaptedto pivot at its forward edge around a line adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag support member between an open position wherein its surface forms a common plane with and rearward of the surface of the fixed bag support, and a closed position wherein its surface is in generally overlying relation to the surface of the fixed bag support member; d. a power driven folding bar means movably mounted between said leg elements and adapted to reciprocate between a position adjacent the rearward edge of the fixed horizontal bag support means and a position withdrawn from the said rearward edge; e. powered pressure exerting means mounted on the horizontal top cross support member, positioned to exert pressure on the bottom surface of the movable bag folding member when said member is in an overlying relation to the fixed bag support member; and f. movable heat lamp means mounted between said leg elements adapted to reciprocate between a forward position above and directing heat to the top surface of the movable member of the bag folding member and a rearward position withdrawn from above the said top surface. The apparatus of the present invention permits an operator to take a filled bag or other package which has an open, filling and closure portion, with a heat sensitive adhesive applied to a predetermined portion of a flap thereon, place and secure the closure portion in the apparatus and have all of the operations, including securing the bag in a predetermined position in a bag folding means, activating the heat sensitive adhesive, forming a fold line and securing the flap having the applied heat activated adhesive surface in a folded closed position, applying additional pressure to enhance the sealing while the adhesive is cooling and sets and then releasing the bag in a sealed condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bag closure and sealing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the left hand portion of the machine showing details of the side leg member, the associated tracks for the folding bar mechanism, and the heating element and the front and rear portions of the folding mechanism of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the gear train mechanism employed to drive the movable member of the folding mechanism and taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a partial fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 1 showing the apparatus of the present invention in bag securing position prior to the folding operation;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional fragmentary view taken along the lines 44 of the drawing similar to FIG. 4, however showing the folding step and the withdrawal of the folding bar;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the withdrawn bar and the completely folded bag within the jaws of the folding means and the mode of applying pressure to the bottom surface of the movable jaw of the folding mechanism to secure the folded heat activated adhesive surfaces together until permanently set;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top portion of a bag used in the instant process showing details of the adhesive coated flap; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 2 showing details of a pivot pin affixed to the movable jaw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, reference is made to FIG. 1 illustrating the bag closure and sealing apparatus of the present invention which comprises a pair of parallel, spaced-apart supporting frame members 12 and 12a illustrated in fragmentary form. The lower portions of the support frame members 12 and 12a may be affixed directly to the floor or may be joined in a framework (not shown) which, in turn, rests upon and may be affixed to a floor or other supporting surface. Between and carried by frame members 12 and 12a is a second supporting or frame member 14, generally U- shaped and disposed in an inverted position. This U- shaped frame member 14 comprises a top horizontal cross support 16 and depending from the ends thereof, and at right angles thereto, a pair of generally parallel side leg elements 18 and 20. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings these elements 16, 18 and 20 of the U-shaped member, are flat steel plates which are joined rigidly together by means of bolts 21 but may also be secured by welding or other securing means. The U-shaped frame member 14 is mounted between the support frame member 12 and 12a on pivoting pins or bolts 22. The forward pivoting motion of the legs is shown in phantom by the dotted lines 24 and 24a ..This forward pivot motion of frame 16 is limited by a stop 26 shown on the left leg 20 of member 14 and by a like stop member (not shown) also affixed interiorly of the leg 18. The far edge 27 of the stop 26 makes contact with the rear side of support element 12 to limit the angular motion of frame member 14 to an acute forward angle, the acute angle having reference to the original position of the U-shaped member in its vertical position wherein the outer surfaces 18a and 20a are in opposed parallel relationship, to and between the inner surfaces of the support members 12 and 12a. A cylinder drive 28 such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is shown, the shaft of the cylinder being affixed to the leg 20 by means of the fastener 30. This cylinder, when activated, drives the upper part of U-shaped member 14 forward to the position of the acute angle, referred to above, pivoting on pins 22, which angle is limited by the placement of the stop element 26. The drive also serves to return frame 14 to the upright position.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 'of the drawings is a bag folding means or mechanism 34 comprising a pair of jaws which include a first bag support element or jaw 32 of generally rectangular configuration mounted on a plate 17 extending between the side leg members 18 and 20 and affixed thereto, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support 16. This jaw or fixed support element 32 is fixed via plate 17 or directly, if desired, to the frame members 20 and 18 and has no movement in the operation of the apparatus of the invention.

A second jaw element 36 more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-6 of the drawings is the movable jaw or member of the folding mechanism. This movable bag folding member 36 is complementary in size and shape to the fixed bag support jaw or means 32 and has at its one end 36a as shown in FIG. 2 a pivoting arm or stud 38 which rides in a bearing 40. The bearing 40 is placed in one of the two channels or slots 42 formed in each of the side leg elements 20 and 18. A similar arm 38a is shown mounted on the right hand side ofjaw 36 and comprises a pivot pin 39 and bracket 39a affixed to jaw 36 by means of screws 39b or the like. In FIG. 8 is shown a view of the pivot arm bracket 38 and pin 39 which has its pivot point directly over the slot formed by jaws 32 and 36.

The pivot pin 39 of 38a is fixed to gear 43 shown in FIG. 3. This gear cooperates with and is driven by gear 44 which, in turn, is driven by the motor 41 or a similar power source. The mesh between gears 43 and 44 is somewhat looser than normal and when gear 44 is driven clockwise, gear 43 is driven counterclockwise and rotates jaw 36 in a counterclockwise direction to a position overlying jaw 32 as shown in sequence in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. As gear 43 rotates, it rides up in a slot similar to 42 but formed in leg 18, so that the gear actually rises as shown in the broken line illustration 43a to place it axis and that of pin 39 at a point slightly above the common axis of gear 43 and pin 39 when jaw 36 is open. The forward edge 36b of the rearward jaw or folding member 36, when actuated by the gear train shown in FIG. 3, which, in turn, is driven by the motor or power source 41 shown in Fig. 1, pivots around a point designated by the letter A in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings which is a line generally parallel to and just adjacent to and above the line formed by the rearward edge 32a of the fixed horizontal jaw or support member 32. A pair of springs 44 and 45 are provided which maintain the bearing 40 in a generally central location in the slot 42 in leg member 20. Since the articulation of the rearward jaw 36 involves its riding upwardly in the relationship to the fixed lower jaw 32, it is necessary to have this freedom of movement of the bearing to permit the rotation to be complete and provide the space required when a bag is in the jaws of folding means 34 and is being sealed with additional pressure being applied as discussed hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawing, the spring 44 is compressed when the jaw element 36 completely overlies the fixed jaw 32. Also shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings is a cylinder driven bag securing and folding bar means 46 comprising a folding bar or plate 48 which is movably mounted in guides 49 and 50 which, in turn, are affixed interiorly to the leg elements 20 and 18 above the folding means 34. The guides 49 and 50 are provided with slots 52 in which the bar 48 articulates in reciprocating or sliding fashion. Cylinders 54 and 56 provide the power for movement through the ram 54a of the cylinder which is affixed to the plate or folding bar 48 by means of the bracket 58.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, the folding bar 48 is shown in its forward position adjacent the rearward edge of jaw 32 and abutting the surface of a bag 60 which is placed on the upper flat surface of thejaws 32 of the folding means 34. In FIG. 5 of the drawings the bar 48 is shown withdrawn from means 34 after the fold has commenced and in FIG. 6 the bar 48 remains withdrawn while the fold is completed.

A heating element or lamp 62 is also illustrated disposed horizontally in frame 14. A heat source in the form of a glo-bar or heating lamp 62 rides on tracks 64 and a like track (not shown) affixed to the inner surface of leg 18. As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the lamp 62 slides on track 64 and is moved from the position shown by solid lines in FIG. 4 to the dotted line position 62a shown also in FIG. 4. Movement is provided by a cylinder 66 affixed to the lamp 62 by means of bracket 68. When in its innermost position with reference to the track 64, and leg 20, the lamp 62 directs its heat energy downwardly to the adhesive strip 60a on a tab or closure portion 60b of bag 60 shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The heat from lamp 62 serves to soften or otherwise activate the heat activatable adhesive coating 60a applied to the bag. After a predetermined time of heat exposure the lamp withdraws and the folding of the rearward jaw 36 commences and folds the bag over the folding bar 48s forward edge 48a, also as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The lamp at this point is withdrawn to the position shown in the solid lines of FIG, 4 and as shown also in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. A pressure applying means such as cylinders 70 are mounted on the upper horizontal support 16 and have in the particular embodiment illustrated, a pair of cylinder rods 72 with attached hardened ends 74 which contact the underlying surface 360 of rearward jaw 36, particularly as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings when the fold is completed and additional pressure is required to hold the folded bag in the closed position while the heat activated adhesive cools and thereby sets and retains the folded seal in the bag. The pressure mechanism 70 after a predetermined time is then released, followed by rearward pivot of jaw 36, after which the frame 14 returns to the vertical position and withdraws from the sealed bag which is supported on the floor or a conveyor surface. The sealed bag is then removed from adjacent the apparatus. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 46 of the drawings, the jaws 32 and 36 of the sealing means 34 have applied to each of their upper surfaces a sheet of a rubber-like material 78. This rubbery material or sheet is resilient and its purpose is to provide a yielding surface which assists in uniform sealing. If desired, this surface may be coated with or formed from silicone polymeric materials which have exceptional release properties and may be readily cleaned and retained in a clean condition from adhesive or other foreign materials.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated in perspective a bag 60 having an opening and closure portion 61 which includes a tab 60b having a strip of heat sensitive and fusible adhesive 60a applied thereto. This adhesive when fused and activated by heat lamp 62 is folded over by folding means 34 and contacts the outer surface of bag 60 at approximately the area designated 60c. Tucks 60d are folded in in the sealing and assist in maintaining the seal on the bag and preventing loss of contents.

As shown in the drawings, the entire operating mech anism of the bag closure and sealing means is carried on the U-shaped support or frame member 14. The power units represented by the cylinders 28, 54, 56, 66, and motor unit 41, all move with and are carried by this frame element. A plurality of air or hydraulic conduit lines 80, 82, 84, 88 and 90, as well as others not shown, provide the necessary power in the form of hydraulic fluid or air to actuate the various pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms. A control box and timer 94 contains a conventional timing mechanism to establish the sequence of the various steps of bag closure, heating, folding and sealing as these functions are to be performed in operation of the apparatus.

In normal operation a bag 60 containing the desired product is placed in front of the apparatus 10. The edge of the flap or closure portion 60b which has an adhesive strip 60a applied thereto is placed or brought forward to meet the leading or front edge of-fixed jaw 32. The timer mechanism 94 is activated and it then carriers through the sequence of operations required to fold and seal the bag. The first step is power activation of cylinder 28 which tilts frame 14 forward, followed by activation of cylinders 54 and 56 which secure the bag to the upper surface of jaw 32. This pushes tab 60b rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4 where strip 60a is on the surface of jaw 36. The lamp 62 is then driven forward by cylinder 66 and a switch (not shown) is activated turning on the heat lamp 62 when it is directly over 60a which rests on jaw 36. The heat lamp operates for a predetermined period to soften, fuse or activate the hot melt type fusible adhesive such as a polymeric base adhesive containing polymer such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, resin such as hydrogenated rosin, softeners, fillers, etc. After the predetermined time of heat exposure the lamp is withdrawn by cylinder 66, is turned off and motor 41 is activated causing the rearward jaw 36 to be articulated or pivoted forwardly which, in turn, folds the bag tab 60b over the edge 48a of bar 48, said jaw pivoting around the point A also shown in the drawings. In the most preferred form the folding bar 48 begins to withdraw when the rearward folding jaw 36 reachesa position of about in the angle defined by the surfaces of the jaw elements 32 and 36 and shown as the angle (theta) in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The fold is completed where the rearward jaw 36 has pivoted and lies with its formerly upper surface in opposed and overlying relationship to the upper surface of the fixed jaw 32 and the melted adhesive abuts the other surface of the bag. At this point a cam operated sensor mechanism actuates the pressure exerting means 70 and the ends of the piston rods 74 abut the rearward surface 36b of jaw 36 exerting downward pressure on that jaw and this, in turn, is transmitted to the folded bag element shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings in the pressure exerting position. This pressure is timed for a few seconds duration to permit the heat-activated adhesive to cool and the timer then releases the pressure exerted by the cylinder 70 and actuates the pivoting jaw 36 to return it to its original position as shown in FIG. 4. The timer then releases cylinder 28 and the frame 14 draws away from bag 60 and returns to its vertical position. The bag is then removed from in front of the bag closing and sealing apparatus and is passed to further processing.

In the embodiment shown the apparatus is adapted to and is pivoted forward at the initiation of the heat sealing and folding operations. This permits an operator to place the bag in front of the apparatus and after activation the machhine tilts forward and goes through its sequence of operations as described above. This, in a sense, takes the apparatus toward and away from the bag during the operation and eliminates the employee handling or holding a loaded bag up to a machine during sealing. If desired, however, on light weight (2 or 3 pound content bags) one could hold the bag up to the apparatus and the tilting mechanism would not be required and frame 14 could be on a fixed support such as a table or bench surface.

What is claimed is:

l. An'apparatus for closing and sealing bags which comprises:

a. a supporting frame having an inverted, U-shaped configuration and having a generally horizontal cross support member and side leg elements depending from the ends thereof;

b. a folding means mounted on said supporting frame comprising a pair of power driven jaws mounted between said leg elements parallel to and below the cross support;

c. a bag securing and folding bar slidably mounted on the frame in cooperating relation with the folding means, said folding bar being slidably mounted to reciprocate between a point within the jaws of the folding means and a point removed therefrom;

d. a heating means mounted on said frame adapted to direct heat to a predetermined portion of a bag held on the folding means; and

e. means for applying pressure to the folding means when in a closed, bag securing position.

2. A packaging machine for closing and sealing bags having a heat sensitive adhesive applied adjacent the open end of the bag comprising:

a. an inverted U-shaped supporting frame member having a horizontal cross support and depending side leg elements;

b. a bag folding means comprising a fixed, horizontal, rectangular shaped bag support jaw member mounted between said side leg elements, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support, said bag support having front and rear edges, and a second powered, pivotally movable bag foldingjaw member of complementary size and shape to the fixed bag support member, and a free top and bottom surface, the front edge of the movable bag folding jaw member being adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag folding member and being mounted and pivotally supported at its ends in said side leg elements and adapted to pivot at its forward edge around a line adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag support member between an open position wherein its surface forms a common plane with and rearward of the surface of the fixed bag support member, and a closed position overlying the fixed jaw member;

c. a folding bar means movably mounted between said leg elements and adapted to reciprocate between a position adjacent the rearward edge of the fixed horizontal bag support means and a position withdrawn from the said rearward edge;

d. pressure exerting means mounted on the horizontal top cross support member, positioned to exert folding member when said member is in an overlying relation to the fixed bag support member; and

e. movable heat lamp means mounted between said leg elements adapted to reciprocate between a forward position above and directing heat toward the top surface of the movable member of the bag folding jaw member when the jaw member is in the open position and a rearward position withdrawn from above the said top surface.

3. A packaging machine and apparatus for closing and sealing bags having a heat sensitive adhesive applied adjacent the open end of the bag comprising:

a. a pair of parallel, spaced-apart supporting frame members;

b. an inverted U-shaped member having a horizontal cross support and depending side leg elements, said member being pivotally mounted at the lower portion of the leg elements on and between the supporting frame members, and pivotal between a vertical position between the support members and an acute forward angled position;

0. a bag folding means comprising a fixed, horizontal, rectangular shaped bag support jaw member mounted between said side leg elements, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support, said bag support having front and rear edges, and a second powered, pivotally movable bag foldingjaw member of complementary'size and shape to the fixed bag support member, and a free top and bottom surface, the front edge of the movable bag folding jaw member being adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag folding member and being mounted and pivotally supported at its ends in said side leg elements and adapted to pivot at its forward edge around a line adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag support member between an open position wherein its surface forms a common plane with and rearward of the surface of the fixed bag support member, and a closed position overlying the fixed jaw member;

d. folding bar means movably mounted between said leg elements and adapted to reciprocate between a position adjacent the rearward edge of the fixed horizontal bag support means and a position withdrawn from the said rearward edge;

e. pressure exerting means mounted on the horizontal top cross support member, positioned to exert pressure on the bottom surface of the movable bag folding member when said member is in an overlying relation to the fixed bag support member; and

f. movable heat lamp means mounted between said leg elements adapted to reciprocate between a forward position above and directing heat to the top surface of the movable member of the bag folding member and a rearward position withdrawn from above the said top surface.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the pivotally movable bag folding jaw member is provided with pivot means at the ends thereof mounted in slots in the side leg members to permit upward movement of the entire jaw member when pivoted to a position overlying the fixed jaw member.

S. An apparatus for closing and sealing bags having a heat sensitive adhesive applied adjacent the open end of the bag comprising;

a. a pair of parallel, spaced-apart supporting frame members;

b. an inverted U-shaped member having a horizontal cross support and depending side leg elements, said member being pivotally mounted at the lower portion of the leg elements on and between the supporting frame members, and pivotal between a vertical position between the support members and an acute forward angled position;

. a bag folding means comprising a fixed, horizontal,

rectangular shaped bag support jaw member mounted between said side leg elements, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support, said bag support having front and rear edges, and a second powered, pivotally movable bag folding jaw member of complementary size and shape to the fixed bag support member and disposed rearwardly thereof, and having a free top and bottom surface, the front edge of the movable bag folding jaw member being adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag folding member, the movable jaw member having pivot means at the ends thereof, said pivot means being pivotally mounted and supported in channels formed in said side leg elements, said movable jaw being adapted to pivot and move upwardly at its forward edge around a line adjacent and above the rear edge of the fixed bag support member between an open position wherein its surface forms a common plane with and rearward of the surface of the fixed bag support member and a closed position overlying the fixed jaw member;

d. a folding bar means movably mounted on tracks mounted on the inner side of side leg elements and adapted to reciprocate on the tracks between a position adjacent the rearward edge of the fixed horizontal bag support means and a position withdrawn from the said rearward edge;

. pressure exerting means mounted on the horizontal top cross support member, positioned to exert pressure on the bottom surface of the movable bag folding member when said member is in an overlying relation to the fixed bag support member; and

f. power movable heat lamp means mounted on a pair face.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3:861Ql24 Dated January 1975 lnventox-(s) Len Bentzien It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shownbelow:

"member" should be "members" Col. 3, line 45 Col. 4, line 37 "it" should be "its" Col. 10, line 8 CLAIM 5 "side" (2nd occurrence) should be "'said" figured and sealed tins 1 t fay of April 1175.

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1. An apparatus for closing and sealing bags which comprises: a. a supporting frame having an inverted, U-shaped configuration and having a generally horizontal cross support member and side leg elements depending from the ends thereof; b. a folding means mounted on said supporting frame comprising a pair of power driven jaws mounted between said leg elements parallel to and below the cross support; c. a bag securing and folding bar slidably mounted on the frame in cooperating relation with the folding means, said folding bar being slidably mounted to reciprocate between a point within the jaws of the folding means and a point removed therefrom; d. a heating means mounted on said frame adapted to direct heat to a predetermined portion of a bag held on the folding means; and e. means for applying pressure to the folding means when in a closed, bag securing position.
 2. A packaging machine for closing and sealing bags having a heat sensitive adhesive applied adjacent the open end of the bag comprising: a. an inverted U-shaped supporting frame member having a horizontal cross support and depending side leg elements; b. a bag folding means comprising a fixed, horizontal, rectangular shaped bag support jaw member mounted between said side leg elements, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support, said bag support having front and rear edges, and a secOnd powered, pivotally movable bag folding jaw member of complementary size and shape to the fixed bag support member, and a free top and bottom surface, the front edge of the movable bag folding jaw member being adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag folding member and being mounted and pivotally supported at its ends in said side leg elements and adapted to pivot at its forward edge around a line adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag support member between an open position wherein its surface forms a common plane with and rearward of the surface of the fixed bag support member, and a closed position overlying the fixed jaw member; c. a folding bar means movably mounted between said leg elements and adapted to reciprocate between a position adjacent the rearward edge of the fixed horizontal bag support means and a position withdrawn from the said rearward edge; d. pressure exerting means mounted on the horizontal top cross support member, positioned to exert pressure on the bottom surface of the movable bag folding member when said member is in an overlying relation to the fixed bag support member; and e. movable heat lamp means mounted between said leg elements adapted to reciprocate between a forward position above and directing heat toward the top surface of the movable member of the bag folding jaw member when the jaw member is in the open position and a rearward position withdrawn from above the said top surface.
 3. A packaging machine and apparatus for closing and sealing bags having a heat sensitive adhesive applied adjacent the open end of the bag comprising: a. a pair of parallel, spaced-apart supporting frame members; b. an inverted U-shaped member having a horizontal cross support and depending side leg elements, said member being pivotally mounted at the lower portion of the leg elements on and between the supporting frame members, and pivotal between a vertical position between the support members and an acute forward angled position; c. a bag folding means comprising a fixed, horizontal, rectangular shaped bag support jaw member mounted between said side leg elements, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support, said bag support having front and rear edges, and a second powered, pivotally movable bag folding jaw member of complementary size and shape to the fixed bag support member, and a free top and bottom surface, the front edge of the movable bag folding jaw member being adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag folding member and being mounted and pivotally supported at its ends in said side leg elements and adapted to pivot at its forward edge around a line adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag support member between an open position wherein its surface forms a common plane with and rearward of the surface of the fixed bag support member, and a closed position overlying the fixed jaw member; d. folding bar means movably mounted between said leg elements and adapted to reciprocate between a position adjacent the rearward edge of the fixed horizontal bag support means and a position withdrawn from the said rearward edge; e. pressure exerting means mounted on the horizontal top cross support member, positioned to exert pressure on the bottom surface of the movable bag folding member when said member is in an overlying relation to the fixed bag support member; and f. movable heat lamp means mounted between said leg elements adapted to reciprocate between a forward position above and directing heat to the top surface of the movable member of the bag folding member and a rearward position withdrawn from above the said top surface.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the pivotally movable bag folding jaw member is provided with pivot means at the ends thereof mounted in slots in the side leg members to permit upward movement of the entire jaw member when pivoted to a position overlying the fixed jaw member.
 5. An apparatus for closing and sealing bags having a heat sensitive adhesive applied adjacent the open end of the bag comprising; a. a pair of parallel, spaced-apart supporting frame members; b. an inverted U-shaped member having a horizontal cross support and depending side leg elements, said member being pivotally mounted at the lower portion of the leg elements on and between the supporting frame members, and pivotal between a vertical position between the support members and an acute forward angled position; c. a bag folding means comprising a fixed, horizontal, rectangular shaped bag support jaw member mounted between said side leg elements, generally parallel to, below and spaced from the top cross support, said bag support having front and rear edges, and a second powered, pivotally movable bag folding jaw member of complementary size and shape to the fixed bag support member and disposed rearwardly thereof, and having a free top and bottom surface, the front edge of the movable bag folding jaw member being adjacent the rear edge of the fixed bag folding member, the movable jaw member having pivot means at the ends thereof, said pivot means being pivotally mounted and supported in channels formed in said side leg elements, said movable jaw being adapted to pivot and move upwardly at its forward edge around a line adjacent and above the rear edge of the fixed bag support member between an open position wherein its surface forms a common plane with and rearward of the surface of the fixed bag support member and a closed position overlying the fixed jaw member; d. a folding bar means movably mounted on tracks mounted on the inner side of side leg elements and adapted to reciprocate on the tracks between a position adjacent the rearward edge of the fixed horizontal bag support means and a position withdrawn from the said rearward edge; e. pressure exerting means mounted on the horizontal top cross support member, positioned to exert pressure on the bottom surface of the movable bag folding member when said member is in an overlying relation to the fixed bag support member; and f. power movable heat lamp means mounted on a pair of tracks disposed on the inner face and between said leg elements adapted to reciprocate between a forward position above and directing heat in the direction of the top surface of the movable jaw member of the bag folding member and a rearward position withdrawn from above the said top surface. 